Window blinds



W. G. BELL WINDOW BLINDS June 5, 1945.

Filed April 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l mvm llillllall lllllllllllllll Inventor 62- B eZZ J Attorneys June 5, 1945.. w BE L 2,377,746

WINDOW BLINDS Filed April 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor N W m;,

Patented June 5, 1945 1 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE 2,377,746 wmnow BLINDS Walter G. Bell, Cumberland, Md. Application April 26, 1944, Serial No. 532,779

6 Claims.

This invention relates to adjustable window blinds of that type embodying a plurality of normally vertically disposed slats or shutters mounted to slidehorizontally and to turn about their longitudinal axes to various positions of adjustment,

for controlling the amount and direction of light window blinds of the above kind which are simple and inexpensive in'construction, and in'which the shutters or slats are capable of a wide range of adjustment.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide window blinds of the above kind having novel means for suspending and guiding the shutters or slats for movement to their various positions of adjustment, and novel means for effecting the various adjustments of said shutters or slats.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention, with the slats of one blind or group swung laterally so that their lower ends are gathered in drape-like formation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 2-4 of Figure 1 and partly broken away.

hanger employed for suspending each shutter or slat for sliding and turning adjustment.

Figure 7 is an edge elevation, looking toward the left of Figure 6 and partly broken away and in section.

Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating a modification5of the pulley and cord arrangement of Figure Fig. 9 is a view similarto Fig. 1 showing a modified frame having side channels for the reception of the slats.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the

' present invention includes a plurality of normally vertically disposed shutters or slats 5 arranged in two groups to provide independently movable and adjustable blinds or sections A and B. Inter connection between the shutters or slats of each Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken for adjustably turning the shutters or slats about their longitudinal axes.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view,

partly broken away and in section; sho'win'g the group is provided by cords or other flexible members B at the upper and lower ends of said shutters or slats. The slats 5 have a desirable degree of rigidity and may be made of thin strips of wood 1 or other suitable material.

The slatsare mounted in a rectangular frame F having upper and lower channel members I and B, and the outer or end shutters or slats of the groups are connected to. the sides of the frame F by cords 9 or the likeso as to properly limit their movement away from the sides of the frame when the blinds or sections are extended.

The slats 5 are suspended from an overhead pole Ill mounted in the upper channel member 1 of frame F by means of brackets-i I For this purpose, a screw l2 has threaded connection with the top of each slat and rotatably extends through an opening I 3 in the bottom of a vertical ring I! loosely slidably mounted on the pole ID, the head ii of the screw I2 being rotatably disposed in a recess of the ring it so as to provide a swivel connection between the upper end of each slat and its ring l4 that permits turning of the slat about its longitudinal axis. It will thus be apparent that the slats are mounted for lateral sliding movement and for turning about their longitudinal axes. However, it will be further noted in Fi ures 2 and 6 that the rings H are of slightly greater diameter than the pole in so that saidrings may tilt laterally, thereby permitting lateral swinging movement of the shutters or slats 5 so j that those of each group may be gathered at their said slats are provided at their lower ends with depending pins l6 coaxial with the screws 12 and slidably and rotatably engaging in a longitudinal slot l1 provided in a guide strip I8 secured within and upon the bottom of the lower frame member 8.

In order to adjustably or completely collapse the blinds or sections A and B, a cord I9 is provided having one end depending at one side of the frame F, said cord extending upwardly over a guide pulley 20 mounted within the upper frame member I at the adjacent side of the frame and having an intermediate portion attached at 2| to the upper end of the innermost slat of the group or blind B, as shown in Figure 4. From the point of connection 2|, the cord I9 extends across the upper ends of the slats of group A to the opposite side of the frame F where it passes around a further guide pulley 22 mounted in the adjacent end of the frame member I. The cord l9 then extends from pulley 22 backwardly to the innermost slat of the group A where it is attached to the upper end of said slat at 23. It will thus be apparent that when the depending end of cord I9 is pulled, the slats of the group B will be collapsed to the right of Figures 1 and 4, while the slats of the group A will be simultaneously collapsed to the left of the same figures.

Means i also provided for simultaneously extending or expanding the groups of slats and for adjustably turning them about their longitudinal axes when expanded. For this purpose, two double pulleys 24 and 25 are suitably journaled upon vertical axes within the frame member 1 intermediate the ends of the latter so as tooccupy a position between the uppen ends of the innermost slats of the two groups A and B. A looped cord 26 depends at one side of the frame F and has its respective ortions extended upwardly over guide pulleys 21 and-28 journaled in the frame member 'I at the adjacent side of the frame. The portion of loop 26 that extends over pulley 21 is provided above the slats of the group B with two branches 29 and 29a, the former branch extending around the outer or rear side of pulley 24 in one groove of the latter and then passin forwardly where its end is secured at 30 to the upper end of the innermost slat of group B at the forward edge of said slat. The other branch 29a of loop 26 is extended around the pulley 24 at the outer side of the latter and within its other groove, and then has its end attached at 30a to the upper end of the innermost slat of group A at the front edge of said slat. In a like manner, the other portion of loop 23 is provided with branches 3| and 3la, the former passing around the pu1ley25 and then rearwardly where its end is secured at 32 to the upper end of the innermost I slat of the group B at the rear edge of said slat.

The branch 3 la passes around the pulley 25 in the other groove of the latter and then extends rearwardly where its end is attached at 32a to the upper end of the innermost slat of group A at the rear edge of the latter slat. Assuming that the sections or blinds are collapsed, it will be apparent that when both portions of loop 26 are simultaneously pulled to the same extent, the innermost slats of both groups will be drawn toward each other and both groups or blinds will be completely or partially expanded as desired. On the other hand, if that portion of loop 26 is pulled which is provided with the branches 29 and 29a while not pulling that portion provided with the branches 3| and Ma, the slats of one group will be turned in one direction and those of the other group will be turned in the opposite direction to adjust the angularity of all of the slats with respect to the plane of the blinds. The same effect will be had, except that the slats are turned in the opposite directions, when that portion of loop 26 is pulled which is provided with the branches 3| and Ma and the other portion of said loop 26 is not pulled. Thus, the slats of the groups may be simultaneously rotatably adjusted about their longitudinal axes in selected opposite directions to control the amount and direction of air passing through the window equipped with the present blinds.

As has been previously pointed out, means is provided for adjustably swinging the slat of either or both groups laterally in drape formation without collapsing said slats at their upper ends. For this purpose, a cord loop 33 encircles the slats of each group near their lower end portions, said loop 33 being attached at 34 to the innermost slat of the associated group. The free end of the loop which is located at the adjacent side of the frame F may be pulled to any desired extent for securing the desired draped condition of either group, and the loop may then be engaged with a holder 35 provided on the adjacent side of the frame for securing the group of slats in the selected draped condition. Preferably, the guide strip I8 is of relatively great thickness and the pins I6 are of considerable length so that the latter may not entirely disengage from the slot I! when the slats are swung laterally to draped position.

In Figure 8 there is shown a modified form of cord and pulley arrangement for effecting the turning or rotating adjustment of the slats, in lieu of the construction described above in connection with Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, there are two pairs of pulleys 24' and 25', and two pairs of cords 29 and 3|. One cord of the pair 29 passes around one of the pulleys 24' and has its end attached at 32 to the upper end of the innermost slat of group A near the forward edge of the latter, while the other cord of the pair 29' passes around the same pulley 24, then around one of the pulleys 25, and then rearwardly where it is attached at 33' to the upper end of the innermost slat of group B at the rear edge of the latter slat. One cord of the pair 3| passes around the other pulley 25' and then has its end attached at 34" to the rear edge of the innermost slat of group A at the top of said slat.

The other cord of the pair 3| also passes around the same pulley 25' and then passes around the other or remaining pulley 24', whereupon it extends forwardly and is attached at 35' to the forward edge of the innermost slat of group B at the top of the latter slat. With this arrangement, the pulleys are so spaced and arranged as toprovide for greater leverage and ease of actuation. Pulling cords 29' turns the slats of both groups in one direction, while pulling of both cords 3| effects turning of all Of the slats in the opposite direction. In addition, when all of the cords 29' and 3| are pulled, the innermost slats of both groups are moved toward each other so that said groups are expanded. This arrangement may be employed in connection with the cord l9 and loops 33, in lieu of the pulley and cord arrangement of Figures 4 and 5.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of the present invention, will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. It will be apparent that I have provided a practical construction and arrangement for carrying out the stated objects of the invention.

While the frame of Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, is composed of fiat side members, it will be apparent that a frame F of the form shown in Figure 9 may be employed. The frame F has side members 36 which are of channel form like the top and bottom members 1 and 8, so that when the blinds or groups of slats are collapsed, they will be disposed within the side members 36 and completely concealed from view under ordinary circumstances. is similar to that of Figure 1.

It will of course be understood that the frame F or F is of a form and size to snugly fit in a window opening and may be securely fastened in place by any suitable means. As the supporting and guiding means for the slats are concealed from view within the frame members 1 and B, the blinds present a neat appearance which is also enhanced by placing the guide pulleys within the upper frame member I. Minor changes in details of construction illustrated and described are contemplated such as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. Window blinds comprising two blinds, each including a group of normally vertical shutters suspended from their upper ends and guided at their lower endsfijor lateral sliding and swinging adjustment and for turning adjustment about their longitudinal axes, means including actuating cords to expand and collapse said blinds in opposite directions and to adjustably turn the slats of both groups in either direction about their longitudinal axes, and means to adjustably swing the shutters of each group to draw their lower ends in drape formation without collapsing them at their upper ends.

2. Window blinds comprising two blinds, each including a group of normally vertical shutters suspended from their upper ends and guided at their lower ends for lateral sliding and swinging adjustment and for turnin adjustment about their longitudinal axes, means including actuating cords to expand and collapse said blinds in.

opposite directions and to adjustably turn the slats of both groups in either direction about their longitudinal axes, and means to adjustably swing the shutters of each group to draw their lower ends in drape formation without collapsing them at their upper ends, said last-named means comprising a cord loop encircling the shutters of each group and attached to the innermost one of said group, and a holder for said cord loop to maintain the slats in such drape-like formation.

3. In an adjustable window blind, a frame having channel top and bottom members, a straight pole mounted in the top channel member, a plurality of rings slidable and laterally tiltable on said pole, each of said rings having a dependent member swiveled therein, a group of normally vertical substantially rigid shutters arranged in the frame and each having its upper end attached to one of said dependent members, a guide strip secured in the bottom frame member and having Otherwise, the construction of Figure 9 a longitudinal slot, and depending pins severally carried by the lower ends of said slats and slidably and rotatably engaging in said slot, said pins being coaxial with said dependent members, and means to laterally tilt and secure said shutters in drape formation.

4. Window blinds comprising two blinds,each

including a group of normally vertical substantially rigid shutters suspended from their upper ends and guided at their lower ends for lateral sliding and swinging adjustment and for turning adjustment about their longitudinal axes, means including actuating cords to expand or collapse said blinds in opposite directions and to adjustably turn the slats of both groups in either direction about their longitudinal axes, and means to adjustably swing the shutters of. each group to draw their lower ends in drape formation without collapsing them at their upper ends, there being two pairs of said actuating cords, guide pulleys mounted in the upper frame member between the two groups of shutters, one pair of cords extending around one of said guide pulleys and respectively connected to opposite edges of the innermost shutters of the respective groups, the other pair of actuating cords being extended around another of said guide pulleys and having their ends connected to the remaining opposite edges of the innermost shutters of said groups.

5. Window blinds comprising two blinds, each including a group of normally vertical substantially rigid shutters suspended from. their upper ends in a frame and guided at their lower ends for lateral Sliding and swinging adjustment and for turning adjustment about their longitudinal y axes, means including actuating cords to expand or collapse said blinds in opposite directions and to adjustably turn the slats of both ggroups in either direction about their longitudinak axes, and means to adjustably swing the shutters of each group to draw their lower ends in drape formation without collapsing them at their upper ends,

one actuating cord being extended across the up- 7 per ends of the slats of both groups and having an intermediate portion thereof attached to the upper end of the innermost shutter of one group, an end of said cord being attached to the innermost shutter of the other group, and a guide pulley around which said cord extends, said guide pulley being mounted in an upper member of the frame at the outer side of the last-named group.

6. Window blinds comprising two blinds, each including a group of normally vertical substantially rigid shutters suspended from their upper ,ends and guided at their lower ends for lateral sliding and swinging adjustment and for turning 

